Fireplace-furnace



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D. .MGDONALD FIRBPLAGB FURNApE.

No. 575,847. .Patented Jan. 26, 1897.

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No Model.) 3 sheetsesheet 2; D; :MGDONALD FIRBPLAGB FURNAGB. v No.575,841 V,Patented Jan. 26, 1897.

. ffiy UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DONALD MCDONALD, OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

FIREPLACE-FURNACE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 575,847, dated January26, 1897. Application flied June 9, 1896. Serial No. 594,813. (Nomodel.)

To all whom, t may concern:

Be it known that I, DONALD McDoNALD, a citizen ofthe United States,residing at Louisville, in the county of Jefferson and State ofKentucky, have invented a new and useful Improvement inFireplace-Furnaces,of which the following is a specification.

lily invention relates to improvements in the construction offireplace-grams; and the primary object of my invention is to give tosuch a grate the function of an air-heating furnace by the generalconstruction to that end hereinafter set forth.

Fireplace-grates as hitherto constructed havealways, so far as I amaware, been objectionable in use for the reason that they consume anundue amount of fuel, while throwing comparatively little heat into theroom, and because they canse the discharge into the room of more or lessof the products of combustion, which vitiate the atmosphere. In carryingout my invention I provide a fireplace air-heating furnace to beemployed more particularly in burning hydrocarbon gas, either natural ormanufactured, and of the construction more especially known to the tradeas portable fireplaces, by means of which the above-cited objections toformer fireplace-grates are entirely overcome and which provides ampleand economical ventilation for the room and presents all theattractiveness in use of an open fireplace.

In the drawings, Figure l is a front elevation of my improvedfireplace-furnace; Fig. 2, a broken sectional view showing the furnacein position in a fireplace, the section being taken on line 2 of Fig. land viewed in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 3, a sectional view of animproved gas-burner which I employ, the section being taken on line 3 ofFig. 8 in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 4, an enlarged section takenon line 4 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5, an enlarged broken end portion of the gas-.inlet valve; Fig. G, an end view of the same;

Fig. 7, a section taken on line 7 of Fig. 5 and viewed in the directionof the arrow; and Figs. 8 and 9 sections taken, respectively, 011 lines8 and 9 of Fig. 2 and viewed as indicated by the arrows.

` As before stated, I prefer to provide my improvements in the form of aportable fireplace for the reason that such a construction forms adevice complete in itself which may be shipped intact and placed in achimneyrecess without the necessity of mounting any of the parts in thebrickwork.

The outer shell of the portable fireplacefurnace comprises a front A,sides A A', a top A2, and a back A3.. The front A is formed with thepilasters tt, upper cross-piece t', a 6o adapted to close tightlyagainst the front and 65 render the joints about them substantiallygas-tight. l

Y The doors may be of any fanciful design and adapted to receive micasheets B, which thus render the front transparent throughout 7o a largepart of its extent.

Fitting into the opening below the crossbar 153, between the pilasters,is a face-plate A4, formed of open-work, as shown, for the free passagethrough it of air. bar t2 and cross-piece 15 is the discharge-opening r,and fastened upon the cross-piece and extending outward and downwardacross the opening r is a hood A5. In the cross plate or bar t3 is aseries of draft-openings t4.

C is a gas-burner which works upon the principle of the burner describedin Letters Patent of the United States No. 525,665, granted to meSeptember 4, 1894, but of an improved construction, adapting itparticularly for use in the present connection. The burner comprises ashell or chamber C', formed, preferably, in two sections q q', fittingclosely together at the joint q2'. The chamber is of a length aboutequal to that of the 9o pla te or bar t3. Along its rear side thechamber is enlarged and may describe the segment of a circle, as shownin Fig. 2. At its forward end the chamber is open, and there fitsagainst the rear side of the Extending centrally through the enlargedpart of the chamber C' is a pipe or burner D, provided in its upper sidewith a series of gasoutlets or burner-openings p, and just above thesaid pipe, in the top plate q of the chamtoo ber C', is a series ofopenings g3, registering in position with the openings 1o, and somewhatlarger than the latter. The lower part q of the shell or chamber C isprovided at its under Between the plate or barts.

side, midway between its ends, with a chainbered otfset C2, providedwith an opening Q4 in its forward side. A branch D of the pipe D extendsfrom the center of the latter through the opening g4 to a `point justbeyond the front of the offset C2.

D2 is a gas-supply head communicating with a gas-supply pipe X. The headD2 comprises a lower tubular portion n, provided with a cock n', andupper horizontally-extending tubular portion n2 at its inner end fittingupon the pipe D and open at its outer end, anda small gas-outlet head orchamber n2 in the chamber n2, having a dischargeopening n4 and, in linetherewith, a threaded opening p5. The part n2 extends through anopeningin the lower face-plate AJX of the front, \Vorking in thethreaded opening a5 is a regulatingscrew D2, having the threaded-shankportion m, reduced neck portion nr, and head m2. The head m2 fits thegas-discharge open ing n4 and is provided around its circumference witha series of tapering discharge-passages m3. The part n3 is of lessdiameter than the mouth of the pipe DI, leaving an annular port n aboutthe port n4 for the passage of air, which enters through the chamber n2to mix with the gas discharged through the port n4. Upon the threadedshank m of the regulating-screw is a Valve-disk m4, which may be screwedto or away from the end of the chamber n2 to close the latter or open itto the extent desired.

Fitting the mouth of the chamber C, behind the bar or plate t2, is asliding grid or damper C3, having openings through it to register withthe openings 4, and having an operating-handle Z, passing through a slot'L5 in the plate or bar t2. In operating the burner described the gas isturned on at the cock n. the handle of which may for convenience be atthe front of the face-plate A4, as shown. The gas passes into thechamber n2 and escapes through the port 014. Air to mingle with the gasand produce the desired burning mixture enters through the chamber n2and escapes into the pipe D' through the annular port oti. Air tosupport combustion enters through the openings t4 to the chamber C' andescapes with the other products of combustion through the openings q2.The object of this construction is to facilitate adjustment of themoving parts for gases of Varying heating capacity and ofvaryingpressures, so that perfect combustion may always take place andthe minimum amount of gas consistent with the heat desired may beemployed.

To prod ucc the best results and obtain perfeet combustion and themaximum amount of heat from the gas, it is necessary that the flow ofthe burning mixture to the pipe or tube D shall be regulated accordingto the heating capacity and pressure of the gas. The adjusting-screw D3with the distributerhead m2, constructed as described, affords means forregulating the flow of gas into the pipe or mixing-chamber D and dividesthe supply into two or more streams, thereby effecting a more intimatemixture With the air entering at the port @t6 than could be obtainedwere the gas to enter through a single opening. Turning of the screw D3to move the head m2 to the right in Fig. 3 enlarges the gasoutlets,while movement of the screw to the left in that figure reduces theoutlets. Besides .separating the inowing gas into two or more streams,as described, the adj listing-screw affords a very satisfactory meansfor regulating the supply. When once adjusted, the screwneednotnecessarilybedisturbed. Thevalve or disk m'l may be turned toregulate the inflow of air to the chamber n2 and mixingchamber DQ sothat enough and no more air may enter than is desirable to produce aburning mixture which will give the best results. The iniow of air tothe draft-chamber C/ through the openings t may be regulated with greatexactn ess by means of the sliding damper C2, so that enough but no moreair than is required to supply combustion may enter.

E is the combustion-chamber, of which the burner C forms the base, andhaving a back plate 7s, side plates 7c c, and a top plate 7a2. The sideand top plates lit closely against the front A, and the back plate atits lower end fits closely against the burner C, so that the joints aresubstantially gas-tight. In the top plate 7a2 is a longitudinaloutlet-opening k2, extending nearly the full length of the chamber E. Inthe chamber is an inclined plate E, which is preferably provided with anasbestes facing` 7a4. The outlet-ports q2 of the draft-chamber C openinto the combustionchamber E at the base of the asbestos facing.

Fastened upon the top plate 7a2 and extending` longitudinally thereof inthe space between the plates 7a2 A2 is the section t' of a flue, whichcarries off the products of combustion. In the section t' is an openingt', which registers with the opening k3 in the plate 7a2. Theline-section e' connects at opposite ends with vertical flue-sections hh, extending in the spaces between the side walls 7o of thecombustion-chamber and the side walls Al of the casing. Theflue-sections h at their lower ends connect with a horizontalflue-section h', which extends below the burner C. Communicating withthe flue-section 72.', at the back and center thereof, is a flue-sectionh2, communicating with a vertical tine-section h2, extending upwardalong the outer side of the wall A2 and terminating near the top of saidwall in an outlet h4. Extending from the center of the flue-section 1lto the upper end portion of the Hue-section h3 is a short directdraftsection jt", provided With a damper t2. This damper is upon a stem t2,passing transversel y through the flue-section i and through the openingr into the hood A5, where it carries a handle i4. By turning the handle4 the damper 2 maybe opened or tightly closed. The back A3 ofthe casingis cnt away below the flue-section h2, leaving an openingf.

IOO

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As before stated, all the air necessary to supply combustion enters thedraft-chamber C through the valved openings t, and when the gas isignited at the burner-openings p the flame rises through the openings Q?and 4 la s against the asbestos facing 7a4 causing D D 7 the latter toglow and present an attractive appearance. Owing to the presence of thesubstantially gastight doors B B,the products of combustion areprevented from vescaping into the room, and they fill thecombustionchamber E both at the front and rear sides of the inclinedwall E' and escape to the fluesection i through the opening or slot k3t. Vhen the fire is first started,the handle i4 may be turned to openthe direct draft to the chimney and the damper may be left open untilthe chimney is heated and the draft established, after which the handleshould be turned to close the direct-draft damper. The

. products of combustion ilowinginto the fluesection t will then pass inequal proportions downward through the vertical flue-sections h into theflue-section h' and thence through the flue-sections h2 h3 to the outleth4. The air of the room will pass through the openings in the face-plateA4 and rise across the sides and. back of the combustion-chamber,flowing out through the opening r.

In setting the fireplace-furnace into a chimney-recess like that,l forexample, illustrated in the drawings, the gas-supply pipe X may extenddown through the ash-chute, usually pro- Vvided, or in any othersuitable direction, and

the opening h4 may be provided with a short collar to extend into thechimney-flue, leaving ample space around it for ventilation. It isdesirable in all cases to provide a collar at the opening h4 to preventsoot or other substance falling down the chimney-Hue from entering andclogging the flue-section h3. The space between the wall or back A3 andadjacent chimney-wall forms a Ventilating-passage G, communicating withthe chamber below the burner, through the opening f, and leading to thechimney-flue.

When the furnace is in operation, the air entering through the openface-plate A4 first strikes the hue-section 7L', thence rises, as beforestated, about the flue-sections 7L and along the wall k and lastlystrikes the fluesection t'. Thus the passage of the air is in thedirection opposite to the flow of the products of combustion, and as theheat is absorbed from the flues by the air-current the cold air as itfirst enters strikes the cooler portion of the ue and in its progressmeets a gradually -increasing temperature, reaching the maximum heat atthe fine-sections t' just before escaping into the room through theopeningr. The hood A5, besides being an ornament to the furnace,operates as a defiector for the hot air, which, being given an initialdownward course, is driven far out into the room. I

The products of combustion in passing through the flue-sections travelsuch an extended course that all bnt'a small fraction of the heatthereof is absorbed'by the air circulating aroundthe Walls of thechamber E and flues. As a consequence the products of combustionescaping through the outlet h4 contain relatively little heat, in factno more than is necessary to keep up a substantial draft through thechimney-flue. Ventilation of the room is kept up by a constant dischargeof air through the lower part of the fireplace upward through thepassage G, and as the air is taken from the floor of the rooln but asmall proportion of heat is wasted. This mode of Ventilating is muchmore economical than is the case Where (as in other fireplaces) the airpasses `over the fire and out through the chimney. Owing to thetransparent gastight combustion-chamber front which I provide, myimproved furnace presents all the attractiveness in use of an open-frontgasgrate, with none of the attendant objectionable features of thelatter. In my improved construction a large volume of air is taken fromthe floor of the room and after absorbing substantially all of thegenerated heat is discharged back into the room without any of theunhealthy products of combustion being mixed therewith. The fines t' h hmay be corrugated, if desired, to increase their heatingsurfaces. Thetransparent front, besides preventing the escape of products ofcombustion to the room, prevents the air of the roomfroin mingling withthe hot products of combustion to increase the quantity and lower thetemperature thereof and greatly increase, as it would, the amount ofheat escaping to the chimney.

XVhile I prefer to construct my improvements throughout as shown anddescribed, the construction may be modified in the matter of detailswithout departing from the spirit of my invention as Vdelined by theclaims, and although for various reasons the best results in a furnaceof this kind are'obi tained by employing hydrocarbon gas for the fuel aliquid burner or support for solid fuel may be substituted for thegas-burner without changing the general construction of the fireplace,which gives to it the function of an air-heating furnace.

Vhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A furnace adapted for location within a fireplace-opening and tocover the same, and provided with-a front having an opening and atransparent closure therefor, and provided also with an air-inlet at itsbase and an airoutlet near its top and also with air-openings below saidclosure, an approximately gastight combustion-chamber, having for itsfront wall said transparent closure, a draftchamber communicating withsaid air-openings and having a burner therein, a circuitons passage forthe products of combustion leading from the combustion-chamber, and apassage for air extending from the said inlet upward and around thecombustion-chamber IOO IIO

and the circuitous passage for the products and terminating in thedischarge-outlet, substantially as described.

2. `A fireplace-furnace adapted to be set with its front alone exposedand having in combination a combustion-chamber rendered approximatelygas-tight by a transparent closure, a passage for the products ofcombustion leading from said combustion-chamber, a draft-chamber belowsaid combustionchamber and having valved openings for air, a burnerwithin said draft-chamber, and a passage for air having an inlet in thebase of the furnace and extending upward and around the sides and rearof said combustionchamber, and the passage for the products ofcombustion but have no connection therewith, and having adischarge-outlet immediately above said chamber and in the front of thefurnace, substantially as described.

3. In a fireplace-furnace, a front having an air-inlet at its lower endand an air-discharge outlet at its upper end, and an openingintermediate thereof, controlled by a transparent approximatelygas-tight closure, a com bustion-chamber havin g for its front wall thesaid closure, a draft-chamber below said combustion-chamber havingvalved openings for the admission of air, a burner in saiddraft-chamber, a passage for the products of combustion leading fromsaid combustionchamber downwardly at each side of the latter, and thenceupwardly at the rear thereof, and a passage for air extending from saidinlet upward and around the said combustionchamber, and the passage forthe products of combustion and terminating in the dischargeoutlet,substantially as described.

4. A iireplace-furnace adapted to be set with its front alone exposedand having in combination a combustionchamber rendered approximatelygas-tight by a transparent closure, an inclined wall in thecombustionchamber having an asbestos facing, a draftchamber below saidcombustion-chamber having valved openings for the admission of air, ahydrocarbon-burner in said chamber, a passage for the products ofcombustion leading` from said combustion-chamber, and a passage for airhaving an inlet in the base of the furnace and extending upward andaround the sides and rear of said combustionchamber, and the passage forthe products of combustion buthavin g no connection therewith, andhaving a discharge-outlet immediately above said combustion-chamber andin the front of the furnace, substantially as described.

5. A fireplace-furnace adapted to be set with its front alone exposedand having in combination a combustion-chamber rendered approximatelygas-tight by a transparent closure, a draft-chamber adjacent to andbelow said combustion-chamber and having outlets qf to saidcombustion-chamber and an airinlet located in the furnace-front andprovided with a damper, a burnertube in the draft-chamber having outletsp registering with the outlets g3, a mixing-chamber communicating withthe burner-tube, an airsupply tube for said mixing-chamber, a gassupplypipe leading to the mixing-chamber and means for controlling thegas-supply and Athe air-supply, substantially as and for the purpose setforth.

DONALD MGDONALD.

In presence of- Trios. W. KENNEDY, WM. H. CRUTOHER.

